Sanitary Rim Equipment

ABSTRACT

The sanitary rim equipment is an apparatus used to help protect users from being exposed to a potential germ that may be left on the surface of a cup or glass in a public setting. In order to accomplish that, the sanitary rim equipment includes a sleeve that snaps down firmly around the rim of the user&#39;s cup or glass in a public setting. Further, the sanitary rim equipment is bio-degradable, and eco-friendly, and may be produced in mass quantity, with sizes ranging from Small to X-large.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/931,677 filed on Nov. 6, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cups. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for cups that snaps on to allow a user to drink from the cup without touching the rim surface of the cup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Going out to eat at a favorite restaurant is a common practice performed by millions every day. These restaurants aim to offer their customers the best tasting food and experience they can. It's assumed that the cutlery, plates, and glasses used to eat and drink from are clean and sanitary. While most restaurants are trusted to wash their plates and cups after every use, there is no way of knowing how clean everything is.

The present invention intents to provide users with an apparatus to help protect the users from being exposed to a potential germ that may be left on the surface of a cup or glass in a public setting. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a sleeve that snaps down firmly around the rim of the user's cup or glass in a public setting. Further, the present invention is bio-degradable, and eco-friendly, and may be produced in mass quantity, with sizes ranging from Small to X-large.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top-front-left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-rear-right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top-front-left perspective view of the present invention in use, wherein the present invention is snapped down onto a cup.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a right elevational view, wherein the present invention is being snapped down onto the cup.

FIG. 10 is a bottom-rear-right perspective view, wherein the present invention is being snapped down onto the cup.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 10, the present invention, the present invention is a sanitary rim equipment. The present invention intents to provide users with an apparatus to help protect the users from being exposed to a potential germ that may be left on the surface of a cup or glass in a public setting. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a sleeve that snaps down firmly around the rim of the user's cup or glass in a public setting. Further, the present invention is bio-degradable, and eco-friendly, and may be produced in mass quantity, with sizes ranging from Small to X-large.

The following description is in reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 10. As seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 10, the sanitary rim equipment comprises a sleeve 1. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve 1 comprises a first end 2, a second end 3, a first lateral sidewall 4, a second lateral sidewall 5, and a rim edge 6. Preferably, the first end 2 is positioned opposite to the second end 3 across the sleeve 1. In other words, the first end 2 constitutes a top end of the sleeve 1 and the second end 3 constitutes a bottom end of the sleeve 1. Further, the sleeve 1 may be made of any bio-degradable and eco-friendly material which can be produced in mass quantity, such as silicone, bioplastics, green polymers, bamboo etc. However, the sleeve 1 may comprise any other material, components and arrangement of components that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered.

In order to accomplish the purpose of fitting over the rim of a drinking container, the present invention comprises a recess 7. Preferably, the recess 7 traverses into the sleeve 1, wherein the recess 1 extends from the second end 3 to a position adjacent the rim edge 6. More specifically, the recess 7 provides a gap through which the rim of the drinking container may be pushed into, such that the sleeve 1 provides a protective and hygienic covering over the rim. Further, the first lateral sidewall 4 is positioned opposite to the second lateral sidewall 5 across the recess 7, such that the first lateral sidewall 4 and the second lateral sidewall 5 provides a covering around the rim, on opposing sides of the drinking container. Furthermore, the rim edge 6 is positioned adjacent the first end 2, wherein the rim edge 6 is perimetrically connected between the first lateral sidewall 4 and the second lateral sidewall 5. In other words, the rim edge 6 constitutes the connecting top edge between the two sidewalls that envelope the rim of the drinking container. Additionally, in order to provide a smooth surface for the user while drinking a beverage from the drinking container, the rim edge 6 is positioned coextensive to the first lateral sidewall 4 and the second lateral sidewall 5.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transversal cross section of the recess 7 corresponds to a transversal cross section of the sleeve 1. Accordingly, if the rim of the drinking container has a square shape, the recess 7 comprises a square shape. Preferably, a depth of the recess spans a few millimeters. Further, as seen in FIG. 7 a first height 8 of the first lateral sidewall 4 corresponds to a second height 9 of the second lateral sidewall 5. However, the recess 7, the first lateral sidewall 4 and the second lateral sidewall 5 may comprise any other length and shape, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the sleeve 1 is a continuous and monolithic structure, such that the sleeve 1 completely envelopes the rim of the drinking vessel. However, the sleeve 1 may comprise one or more components or may envelope only a part or segment of the rim of the drinking vessel.

As seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 10, in the preferred embodiment, the rim edge 6 is circular in shape. However, the rim edge 6 may comprise any other size or shape, as long as the objectives of the present invention are not altered. Preferably, the sleeve 1 is also flexible, such that the user may push down and snap the sanitary rim equipment around the rim of the drinking vessel with ease. However, the sleeve 1 may also comprise a different material and/or varying flexibility, as long as the objectives of the present invention are fulfilled.

In reference to FIG. 7 through FIG. 10, the sleeve 1 is positioned over a rim 10 of a cup 11. As seen in FIG. 7, during use of the present invention, the first lateral sidewall 4 is pressed against an inner sidewall 12 of the cup 11, and the second lateral sidewall 5 is pressed against an outer sidewall 13 of the cup 11. In other words, the sanitary rim equipment is positioned over the cup 11 in such a way that an upper section of the cup 11 traverses through the recess 7 and the rim edge 6 is pressed against the rim 10 of the cup 11. Preferably, the sleeve 1 is just pushed over the rim 10 of the cup 11, and the flexible sleeve fits over cup 11 in a snug fashion. However, the sleeve 1 may comprise any other fastening mechanisms, such as snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners etc., that may be used to attach the sleeve 1 over the cup 11 in a secure manner.

Thus, the present invention is an eco-friendly, disposable, user-friendly, and hygienic addition for all public eateries, and may be produced in a variety of sizes, shapes and quantities, so as to fit a wide variety of beverage containers and provide a sanitary drinking surface for users.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitary rim equipment comprising: a sleeve; a recess; the sleeve comprising a first end, a second end, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, and a rim edge; the recess traversing into the sleeve; the first end being positioned opposite to the second end across the sleeve; the recess extending from the second end to a position adjacent the rim edge; the first lateral sidewall being positioned opposite to the second lateral sidewall across the recess; the rim edge being positioned adjacent the first end; the rim edge being perimetrically connected between the first lateral sidewall and the second lateral sidewall; and the rim edge being positioned coextensive to the first lateral sidewall and the second lateral sidewall.
 2. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein a transversal cross section of the recess corresponds to the transversal cross section of the sleeve.
 3. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein a first height of the first lateral sidewall corresponds to a second height of the second lateral sidewall.
 4. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is a continuous and monolithic structure.
 5. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 4, wherein the rim edge is circular in shape.
 6. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is flexible.
 7. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is positioned over a rim of a cup: the first lateral sidewall being pressed against an inner sidewall of the cup; the second lateral sidewall being pressed against an outer sidewall of the cup; an upper section of the cup traversing through the recess; and the rim edge being pressed against the rim of the cup.
 8. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a bio-degradable and eco-friendly material.
 9. A sanitary rim equipment comprising: a sleeve; a recess; the sleeve comprising a first end, a second end, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, and a rim edge; the recess traversing into the sleeve, wherein a transversal cross section of the recess corresponds to the transversal cross section of the sleeve; the first end being positioned opposite to the second end across the sleeve; the recess extending from the second end to a position adjacent the rim edge; the first lateral sidewall being positioned opposite to the second lateral sidewall across the recess; the rim edge being positioned adjacent the first end; the rim edge being perimetrically connected between the first lateral sidewall and the second lateral sidewall; and the rim edge being positioned coextensive to the first lateral sidewall and the second lateral sidewall.
 10. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 9, wherein a transversal cross section of the recess corresponds to the transversal cross section of the sleeve.
 11. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 9, wherein a first height of the first lateral sidewall corresponds to a second height of the second lateral sidewall.
 12. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is a continuous and monolithic structure.
 13. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 12, wherein the rim edge is circular in shape.
 14. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is flexible.
 15. The sanitary rim equipment of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is positioned over a rim of a cup: the first lateral sidewall being pressed against an inner sidewall of the cup; the second lateral sidewall being pressed against an outer sidewall of the cup; an upper section of the cup traversing through the recess; and the rim edge being pressed against the rim of the cup. 